Monthly Archives: March 2015

Be sure to save the date for Timberline Ranch’s Family Festival on Saturday, April 25th, from 10am-4pm!

Timberline Ranch in Maple Ridge will be hosting their third annual Family Festival! This event will feature western shows, pony rides, hay rides, a petting zoo, a western photo booth, archery, climbing wall activities, door prizes, and a whole array of other exciting activities.

My Mom gave me some money for my 20th Birthday and I decided that I wanted a kitty. It was a pouring rainy day and I went down to my local SPCA shelter to see if they had any kittens available. When I entered the cat room, I was immediately drawn to one little lady who greeted me so enthusiastically. Her name was Sophie. She was a tortoiseshell with grey, white and peach fur. Her little tail was crooked at the end and she had a squeak of a meow.

I loved her and she loved me for 16 years. She was my little girl before I had my own little girl, and I miss her dearly.

Now that we are a family of four, hubby and I think it might be time for us to welcome a furry family member into our home.

We’ve discussed that when it’s time, we want to visit our local SPCA shelters to find the right pet for us. There are so many pets waiting in shelters looking for good homes, that we are adamant about getting one from there.

Not only do they have cats and dogs, but there are rodents like hamsters, ferrets and rabbits, that also need homes. But when you consider adopting a pet, keep in mind that they have needs to be met. Not only do they need feeding and activity, but in the case of rodents, their cages need to be kept clean as well.

A lot of people like to buy pets for their children as gifts for the holidays, like Birthdays, Christmas and Easter. And unfortunately, once these pets get bigger or the child tires of them, these little creatures get brought into shelters or let loose in local parks where they are unable to fend for themselves and usually die as a result. It’s a much better idea to really prepare your family to welcome a furry member by discussing what there needs will be.

Photo credit: The Inhabitots

This Easter, instead of getting your kiddos a bunny or chicks, stick to the stuffies, crafts, treats (if they’re allowed) or consider making a donation to the BCSPCA to help the shelter animals in need.

I have a friend who lives there and says that moving there was a fantastic decision for her family.

I love how there seems to be a great sense of community and more care-free way of living. We’ve been to local markets, on BC Ferries and shopped in unique retailers that carry products made on Salt Spring. There are so many AMAZING artisans who call it their home.

A Piece of Bohemia Comes to Vancouver March 27 to 29th.

For its second year, Salt Spring in the City – a kind of village market meets art show – returns to Vancouver March 27 to 29th to showcase the treasures and flavours of the Salish Sea. Visitors to Vancouver’s Heritage Hall will get to experience food and fashion, paintings and pottery, wine and crafts, and a sense of nostalgia for the West Coast’s homesteading, handcrafted bohemian heritage.

At this now-annual fair-atmosphere event, Vancouverites get to discover the wares of woodworkers, designers, jewellers and potters, artisanal cheesemakers and preservers, weavers and painters, artists and foodies.

Just in case you missed it, Tobo Track is a fantastic track set made from wood that your kids can use to play with all their cars and train sets. They can create different paths by connecting the pieces in a variety of patterns.

This year, Tobo Toys is launching a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the new adapter!

The adapter will allow your kids to attach their Tobo Tracks to Thomas the Train and Lego sets that they may already have 😃 Now they can play with all their sets together!

If you would like to support Tobo Toys Kickstarter campaign for the new adapter, please follow this link to make your contribution.

To make the meatballs: In a large bowl, mix turkey, panko, carrots, zucchini, onion, eggs, Italian seasoning, and salt until well combined; form into 1-inch balls.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook, turning, until browned, about 7 minutes.

To make the gravy: Melt butter in the skillet. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in beef broth and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in sour cream; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Stir in meatballs and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and thickened, about 8-10 minutes.

Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

I had some dregs of dry pasta sitting in the pantry, so I cooked them up to have with these yummy meatballs. I steamed up some asparagus and sliced up some fresh cucumber sprinkled with dill. Yummers!

Whizzing through the sky over mountains, plains, water, cityscapes, and bridges!

Here’s some more info about FlyOver Canada:

FlyOver Canada is the must-see attraction for kids in Vancouver. This award-winning, cinematic thrill ride offers an unparalleled perspective of the country’s vast landscape, bringing the Canadian geography book to life in an amazing way!

Strapped into seats, feet dangling, riders tilt, dip and dive high up over mountain peaks, towering forests, and cascading waterfalls, which all appear on a giant dome projection before them. Unlike any imax, this film is 4D and fully immersive, stimulating the senses with refreshing breezes, scents and mists natural to each environment.

From March 9-20, children and youth (under 17 years of age) are treated to a 25% “Spring Break” discount.

Tickets are available at flyovercanada.com. Children must be at least 102cm (40″) to enter FlyOver Canada (approximate height of average a 4 year-old). Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult or guardian aged 14 years or old.

FlyOver Canada has generously provided Raincity Parent, two (2) tickets to giveaway to one lucky reader! Please enter via the Rafflecopter link below. Contest runs from March 14th-21st, 2015 and is open to residents of Greater Vancouver and surrounding areas.

After resting the dough, press out into your desired shape on a pre-greased pan. Top with sauce of your choice, this is a good one, and your favourite toppings. We like shredded chicken, salami and ham, peppers, onion, mushrooms, spinach, basil, loads of olives and a major amount of cheese!

Put into a pre-heated, 400 deg F oven for 20 minutes.

Let cool 5 minutes so the cheese settles down, then cut into slices.

We like to drizzle ours with Valentina hot sauce or sriracha sauce and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan.